Timepiece or jewellery case

ABSTRACT

A travel-size case for timepieces or pieces of jewellery, arranged to be operated with a single hand, including a closable box arranged to contain at least one holder for receiving at least one timepiece or piece of jewellery, between at least one tray and a cover, this box including a base with which the cover cooperates to close the case, wherein at least one tray and at least one holder are arranged to be held one on top of the other by magnetic attraction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention concerns a travel-size timepiece or jewellery case, arranged to be operated with a single hand, comprising a closable box and arranged to contain at least one holder for receiving at least one timepiece or piece of jewellery, between at least one tray and a cover, said box comprising a base with which said cover cooperates to close said case.

The invention concerns the field of devices for protecting and transporting timepieces or jewellery.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The protection and transport of timepieces or jewellery requires suitable packaging in order to protect these often very expensive objects. This packaging is liable to be subjected to high dynamic stress, particularly during travel or shipping, with spatial position changes and high speed and acceleration gradients.

Padded cases, adapted to the precise dimensions of the objects, may, when they are new, provide proper protection. However, padding, particularly plastic foams, does not age well and degrades over time and therefore no longer provides optimal stabilization. Further, these cases are intended for objects of particular shapes and dimensions and are therefore not universal, which is not practical when when it comes to travelling and taking several watches or pieces of jewellery, and the user does not want all his luggage space to be filled with various individual cases, which, moreover, often have large external dimensions.

ES Patent No 1041455U in the name of YGC Comunicacion discloses a case for wristwatches, with the functional combination of a basic body and a cover, one of which includes hollow compartments for receiving watches, allowing the watches to be accommodated and viewed.

FR Patent Application No 2293757A in the name of YEMA discloses a device for displaying objects such as jewellery or watches, which includes a holder stand able to receive the displayed object, the stand being formed by at least one block of moulded material, containing a hollow imprint of the object, the latter being thus able to be placed and locked in position on said stand, to which it is joined simply by friction, the visible side of the object thus being visible and displayed above the stand. This stand has a back face or rest face located on the opposite side to the imprint receiving the displayed object, this rest face being provided with means for securing it to a support surface. More particularly, the displayed object holder stands are associated with a support surface, said surface in turn being provided with means capable of being associated with removable attachment means arranged on the back face of said stands and allowing the stand to be removably attached to and moved relative to said surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes to develop very versatile cases, of moderate volume, and offering optimum protection for the watches and/or jewellery contained and transported therein.

To this end, the invention concerns a case according to claim 1.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will appear from reading the following detailed description, with reference to the annexed drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 represents a schematic, top view of a case according to the invention in a closed position.

FIG. 2 represents a schematic, perspective view of the case of FIG. 1 in an open position, showing a holder carrying a watch, firmly held by magnetic attraction on a flat surface of a tray.

FIG. 3 represents a schematic, perspective view of the holder of FIG. 2, carrying a watch, whose bracelet passes both under and over the holder, to which it is held by immobilising means comprising a buckle here.

FIG. 4 represents a schematic, perspective view of the tray of FIG. 2, comprising lateral gripping means.

FIG. 5 represents, in a similar manner to FIG. 2, the same case, from which the tray carrying the watch holder has been removed, providing access to a container insert.

FIG. 6 represents a schematic, perspective view of the container insert of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 represents a schematic, perspective view of a case according to the invention, in an open position, showing a holder carrying a watch, firmly held by magnetic attraction on a flat surface of a tray; this tray further includes a compartment for receiving a more voluminous holder.

FIG. 8 represents a schematic, perspective view of another case according to the invention in the open position, which has a flat base that supports, one on top of the other, a container insert, a tray and a holder provided with a watch, the lateral faces of the case are located on the cover, which protects the assembly.

FIG. 9 represents a schematic, top view of a case according to the invention, in the configuration of FIG. 5, with the tray removed, showing two container inserts juxtaposed in the lower part of the base.

FIG. 10 represents a schematic, top view of a case according to the invention, in the configuration of FIG. 3, showing two juxtaposed trays in the upper part.

FIG. 11 represents an exploded perspective view of the case of FIG. 7, including an external box emptied of its contents, formed here by a container insert intended to occupy the lower part of the box, surmounted by the tray seen in FIG. 1, or by the tray of FIG. 4, one of these trays being surmounted by the holder, which is shown separate here from the holder tray, at a distance where the magnetic attraction field between them becomes weak.

FIG. 12 represents a schematic, cross-sectional view of the case of FIG. 11 along a plane passing through means for closing and locking the case, and perpendicular to an articulation that is not shown in detail, of the hinge or similar type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The invention concerns a travel-size case 1 for a timepiece or piece of jewellery 10. A “travel-size case” means that this case 1 is arranged to be operated with a single hand, for easy carrying during travel, on the person or in luggage. Such a case 1 is designed to contain one or more timepieces or pieces of jewellery 10, such as watches, bracelets, or other jewellery or suchlike.

This case 1 includes a closable box 2, designed to contain several constituent parts of case 1, and the timepiece(s) or piece(s) of jewellery 10.

This box 2 is arranged to contain at least one holder 3 for receiving at least one timepiece or piece of jewellery 10, between at least one tray 4 and a cover 5 of box 2.

Box 2 has a base 6, which cooperates with cover 5 to close case 1.

According to the invention, at least one tray 4 and at least one holder 3 are arranged to be held one on top of the other by magnetic attraction. More particularly, each tray 4 and each holder 3 are arranged to be held one on top of the other by magnetic attraction.

The interior of cover 5 may be padded, so that each holder 3 provided with a timepiece or piece of jewellery 10, is firmly held on a tray 4 on the underside, and rests on the padding on the upper side: this padding is more particularly advantageous when the timepiece or piece of jewellery 10 includes movable components, as in the case of a necklace, bracelet or suchlike.

Such padding is not, however, necessary when the timepiece or piece of jewellery 10 can be firmly held on such a holder 3, which advantageously includes immobilising means 30 for holding a timepiece or piece of jewellery 10, such as clamps or similar: indeed, the magnetic attraction is advantageously chosen to be high, so that the attraction holding holder 3 on tray 4 is sufficient to keep the timepiece or piece of jewellery 10 pressed onto tray 4 in any spatial position, and in the normal conditions of speed and acceleration of an ordinary traveller.

The holder 3 illustrated in FIG. 3 is more particularly designed to receive a watch, and advantageously includes a groove in its lower part, arranged to accommodate the lower strand of the bracelet, whose upper strand is retained by immobilising means 30, a buckle here, into which this upper strand is inserted.

New generation watches, which are insensitive to very high magnetic fields, allow this use of high magnetic fields to efficiently hold watches in such a case.

Various configurations are possible: in addition to the configuration wherein both tray 4 and holder 3 include a ferromagnetic portion, each subjected to the attraction field of a magnet housed inside base 6 of the box, underneath tray 4 and thus also underneath holder 3, the simplest configurations are those wherein at least tray 4 and/or holder 3 includes a magnetized portion:

each tray 4 includes at least one magnetized portion having a first magnetization or made of ferromagnetic material, and each holder 3 then includes at least one portion which is, respectively, made of ferromagnetic material or magnetized with a second magnetization opposite to the first magnetization when each tray 4 includes a magnetized portion having a first magnetization, or magnetized when tray 4 includes a portion made of ferromagnetic material.

It is thus understood that the invention is more particularly designed to allow each timepiece or piece of jewellery 10 to be placed in the case as the user wishes, without taking account of pre-existing subdivisions and optimising the use of the available interior space, while ensuring a safe distance between the various timepieces or pieces of jewellery 10, when case 1 contains more than one. A flat upper surface of tray 4 allows the greatest freedom of placement. Naturally, this advantage of the invention is not incompatible with a conventional position of a timepiece or piece of jewellery 10 in a hollow housing of the case: any tray 4 may thus include at least one compartment 40 arranged for the particular placement of one holder 3 or another, in a particular geometric position with respect to case 1.

FIGS. 2, 4, 8, 10 and a variant of FIG. 11, show the particular case of trays 4 having a flat upper surface, which allows the user to use the space as he wishes, secure in the knowledge that each timepiece or piece of jewellery 10 is perfectly held and protected.

More particularly, tray 4 includes gripping means 41 to facilitate handling, in the form of lugs, loops or otherwise.

In a particular embodiment, the upper surface of tray 4 is flush with the edge surface of base 6.

More particularly, base 6 of box 2 is hollow and intended to contain all the trays 4 of a same case, in an upper housing 7. The invention is illustrated with a single upper housing 7 arranged either to receive a single tray 4, as illustrated in FIG. 2, 4 or 8, or a plurality of trays 4 juxtaposed in a substantially flat manner, like a mosaic inside this single upper housing 7 and as seen in FIG. 10. In another non-illustrated variant, bottom 6 can be subdivided internally and include a plurality of upper housings 7. More particularly still, base 6 includes an upper housing 7 for each tray 4. It is also noted that it is possible to provide a case 1 with trays 4 of different heights in order to have holders 3 of different heights, adapted to the height of the timepieces or pieces of jewellery 10 to be protected.

The position and possible securing of each tray 4 with respect to base 6 of box 2 can be achieved in different variants.

In the particular case of the Figures, at least one tray 4 is removable relative to base 6. More particularly, at least one such removable tray 4 can be held in base 6 by «Velcro» or hook-velvet, or by magnetic attraction means, or by mechanical attachment means, and in particular by tool-free attachment, especially of the quarter turn fastener type for aviation, or similar.

In another variant, at least one tray 4 is fixed to base 6 in a non-removable manner by permanent securing means, bonding, crimping or otherwise.

In another variant, base 6 itself forms each tray 4, or the single tray as appropriate.

In the particular case of the Figures, case 1 includes at least one container insert 8, which is arranged to be housed between such a removable tray 4 and base 6. More particularly, at least one such removable tray 4 is held to container insert 8 by «Velcro» or hook-velvet or by magnetic attraction means or by mechanical attachment means, or by any similar means as described above.

Likewise, more particularly, at least one container insert 8 is removable, and held to base 6 by «Velcro» or hook-velvet or by magnetic attraction means or by mechanical attachment means, or suchlike.

In another variant, at least one container insert 8 is fixed to base 6 in a non-removable manner by permanent attachment means.

More particularly, at least one such container insert 8 includes at least one lower housing 9, which is arranged to receive spare parts of the timepiece or piece of jewellery 10, and/or documentation, instructions, warranty cards, proof of purchase or duty payment, and/or tools.

Case 1 may include one or other container insert 8 on only one portion of the surface of base 6, so as to allow the direct placement on base 6 of at least one tray 4 intended to carry timepieces or pieces of jewellery 10 taking up the full available internal height of box 2.

In a particular but non-limiting manner, base 6 and/or respectively cover 5 as in FIG. 8, includes at least one lateral wall 20, like the embodiment of the Figures, which, in a conventional manner, has four lateral walls 20. Cover 5, or respectively base 6, is articulated on at least one lateral wall 20, by articulation means 56, such as a hinge or suchlike. Box 2 comprises means for maintaining the closed position and/or locking means 50 between cover 5, or respectively base 6, and at least one lateral wall 20, and which include a first component 505 on the cover, cooperating with a second component 506 having a complementary function mounted on the base. Base 6, cover 5 and the means for maintaining a closed position and/or locking means 50 are arranged to withstand case 1 being dropped to the ground, from body height, and to ensure that case 1 is kept in the closed position when dropped. Box 2 can thus include a solid structure made of stamped or welded metal, fibre glass, carbon fibre, plastic material, wood, leather, or otherwise. This solid structure may include holes to reduce its mass without impairing its rigidity. This solid structure may be covered with any internal and/or external coating suitable for the timepieces or jewellery intended to be contained therein.

The means for maintaining the closed position and/or locking means 50 may be of a magnetic type, or include a mechanical lock or latch, or include a key or combination lock to prevent inadvertent opening, or otherwise.

In a particular variant, box 2 of case 1 is in one piece, more particularly but not exclusively made of leather or of plastic material, or otherwise.

Although the invention is more particularly intended for a travel-size case, for the user's personal use, it also has a derived application for storage cases for watch and jewellery stores, for easy storage and handling of collections of several pieces without requiring individual cases prior to sales, and for cases intended for display, or storage in a bank vault. 

1. A travel-size case for timepieces or pieces of jewellery, arranged to be operated with a single hand, comprising a closable box arranged to contain at least one holder for receiving at least one timepiece or piece of jewellery, between at least one tray and a cover, said box comprising a base with which said cover cooperates to close said case, at least one said tray and at least one said holder being arranged to be held one on top of the other by magnetic attraction, and said base comprising an upper housing for each said tray, wherein at least one said tray is removable with respect to said base
 2. The case according to claim 1, wherein each said tray and each said holder are arranged to be held one on top of the other by magnetic attraction.
 3. The case according to claim 2, wherein said tray comprises at least one magnetized portion having a first magnetization or made of ferromagnetic material, and wherein said holder includes at least one portion which is, respectively, made of ferromagnetic material or magnetized with a second magnetization opposite to said first magnetization when each said tray includes a magnetized portion having a first magnetization, or magnetized when said tray includes a portion made of ferromagnetic material.
 4. The case according to claim 1, wherein at least one said removable tray is held to said base by «Velcro» or hook-velvet or by magnetic attraction means or by mechanical attachment means.
 5. The case according to claim 1, wherein said case comprises at least one container insert arranged to be housed between one said removable tray and said base.
 6. The case according to claim 5, wherein at least one said removable tray is held to said container insert by «Velcro» or hook-velvet or by magnetic attraction means or by mechanical attachment means.
 7. The case according to claim 5, wherein at least one said container insert is removable and held to said base by «Velcro» or hook-velvet or by magnetic attraction means or by mechanical attachment means.
 8. The case according to claim 5, wherein at least one said container insert is fixed to said base in a non-removable manner by permanent attachment means.
 9. The case according to claim 5, wherein at least one said container insert comprises at least one lower housing arranged to receive spare parts of said timepiece or piece of jewellery, and/or documentation, and/or tools.
 10. The case according to claim 1, characterized in wherein at least one said tray comprises at least one compartment for receiving in a complementary manner at least one said holder in a particular geometric position of said holder relative to said case.
 11. The case according to claim 1, wherein at least one said holder includes immobilisation means for holding a timepiece or piece of jewellery.
 12. The case according to claim 1, wherein said base or said cover comprises at least one lateral wall, wherein said cover or respectively said base is articulated on at least one said lateral wall, wherein said box includes means for maintaining the closed position and/or locking means between said cover or respectively said base and at least one said lateral wall. 